Reflection on UN Peacebuilding Commission Support Branch
Peacekeeping mandates often prioritize short-term goals, focusing on stabilizing immediate crises through targeted peacekeeping activities. This approach frequently leaves deeper systemic issues that fuel conflicts unaddressed. The stark reality before us is that, more often than not, peacebuilding, however defined, would appear to be primarily an afterthought, an add-on, relegated to the background. Longer-term activities, i.e., peacebuilding aiming to tackle root causes, rebuild institutions, and support inclusive development, are too often viewed as a secondary phase, sometimes unnecessarily delaying the start of efforts to build sustainable peace.
Olu Arowobusoye
February 20, 2025
UN Agora Blog
ILF
Equal Access to Justice for All: A Fundamental Human Right
Human Rights Day
Over the past year, the ILF has been working with the Campaign to Decriminalize Poverty and Status, civil society organizations, and independent experts around the world to elevate this important expert meeting as an opportunity to meaningful advance Equal Access to Justice for all and to advocate that a key focus of the meeting should be on discrimination in justice systems, as a key barrier to justice.
Jennifer Smith
December 10, 2024
UN Agora Blog
UN Habitat
Adequate housing as a human right: A call to action at the World Urban Forum in Cairo
World Cities Day
The global housing crisis is exacerbated by historical disparities between average wages and housing costs—a gap that continues to grow—and by enduring poverty and inequality. Housing challenges are further deepened by wars, armed conflicts, and climate-related disasters, which force people from their homes and communities. UN data shows that the number of people affected by disasters per 100,000 people rose from 1,198 in 2005-2015 to 2,113 in the last decade.
Anacláudia Rossbach
October 31, 2024
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
A South African case study for international dialogue and solidarity for justice and lasting peace
Nelson Mandela International Day
Despite the noises from extremists, ending Apartheid gave South Africa a chance to come together as a nation and built a peaceful and prosperous future together. The establishment of our constitutional democracy laid a solid basis for peace, progress and prosperity. Our Constitution as the supreme law of our country affirms the notion of an open and democratic society, underpinned by a set of higher, fundamental values based on human dignity, equality and freedom.
Christo van der Rheede
July 18, 2024
UN Agora Blog
On the status of parliamentarism in general and in Germany in particular
International Day of Parliamentarism
On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Parliamentarism on June 30, I would like to take the opportunity to make some basic remarks on the status of parliamentarism in general and in Germany in particular. June 30 is no coincidence because it is the date on which the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded in 1889 as a multilateral political organization to promote international cooperation and resolve conflicts through parliamentary dialogue.
Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert
July 1, 2024
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz
Multilateralism in Action: Marking the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers
International Day of UN Peacekeepers
Over 70,000 UN peacekeepers serve in 11 missions around the globe today. They provide life-saving services such as upholding ceasefires, clearing land mines, and protecting civilians from violence in conflict-affected areas. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, on 29 May, pays tribute to the honourable service and sacrifice of peacekeepers and the communities they serve.
To mark the 76th International Day of UN Peacekeepers, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, shares his perspectives on peacekeeping today and tomorrow in our latest UN Agora Blog post.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix
May 29, 2024
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
In conversation with Dr. Randy Rydell
International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness
The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness seeks to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public, especially young people. As the United Nations notes, the goals of multilateral disarmament and arms limitation have been central to the UN’s efforts to maintain international peace and security.
Randy Rydell
March 5, 2024
UN Agora Blog
iStock
Human Rights Day: Legal experts discussing the intersection between human rights and climate change
Human Rights Day 2023
Based on the increasing threats of climate change to the effective enjoyment of a range of human rights, we invited renowned legal experts to reflect on how changes in the Earth’s climate have impacted different spheres of life, and why those changes could hinder the effective promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
Chantelle Moyo, Padma Rijal
December 10, 2023
UN Agora Blog
At the mid-point of the 2030 agenda: some reflections on Justice for All
United Nations Day
In 2015, global leaders took a historic step to include peace, justice and strong institutions as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The adoption of SDG16 demonstrated a clear recognition by all the countries of the world that economies might be performing well, and health and education may improve; but without peace and justice, people will be unable to achieve their full potential and development will remain precarious.
Swati Mehta
October 24, 2023
UN Agora Blog
UNDP
The Impact of Parliamentary Oversight on Governance: A case for increased involvement of national legislatures in the implementation of the SDGs
International Day of Democracy
The authors discuss how effective parliaments are critical to promoting democratic governance and are pivotal components of a country's broader governance framework and checks and balances. Parliaments are critical for the successful implementation of the SDGs.
Welcome to the UN AGORA Blog of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, New York Office. Democracy, peace and security, human rights, and the rule of law are key pillars of our work around the world.
Join us in our monthly virtual discussions and follow the international experts whom we are inviting to contribute to our UN AGORA Blog to honor specific international UN Days or to draw attention to current topics in the realm of rule of law, international justice, and peace globally.
AGORA stands for the open space, the meeting ground in ancient Greek cities for citizen activities. Homer enjoyed it, and hopefully, you will too!
